Government*Horizons Inc. Training Series™

Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer's Representative/Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative Workshop

Registration is now closed for this event. If you would still like to register you must bring this form with you to register at the door the day of the event.

May 19-21, 2008
Arlington, VA

Registration: 8:00 AM
Program Starts: 8:30 AM
Wrap-Up: 4:00 PM

Course materials, continental breakfast (coffee and pastries) and refreshments included.

This workshop is recommended for 24 Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) toward DAWIA/FAC-C and FAC-COTR requirements. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/memo/fac-cotr.pdf ) A Government*Horizons Certificate of Completion will be provided to all attendees upon conclusion of the workshop.

For information on fulfilling core, elective and continuous learning requirements,
visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/procurement/policy_letters/05-01_041505.html

About This Workshop:

The contracting officer’s representative (COR/COTR) plays an essential role in the planning, awarding and management of the government contract. They are the “eyes and ears” of the contracting officer in ensuring that technical requirements are being met and that the contractor is adhering to the terms and scope of the contract. Their technical expertise and project management skills are critical in designing performance-based acquisitions that successfully respond to risk, motivate excellent contractor performance, manage cost and schedule constraints and achieve contract goals and objectives.

In the Critical Roles and Responsibilities of the Government COR/COTR course, you’ll learn the critical roles, responsibilities and best practices for being an effective COR/COTR. The course covers the COR/COTR’s role throughout the government contracting process—from defining initial requirements to effective post-award performance management. You’ll learn the importance of early risk assessment and how risk mitigation and control influences the pre and post award management of the contract. You’ll also learn the many areas of the acquisition process where COR/COTR participation is essential in helping the contracting officer protect the interests of the government during contract execution. For industry attendees, you will gain keen insight into your government customer and how your company can help support the important role of the COR/COTR.

You will develop skills through various practical exercises and will receive a course manual containing many useful references that can be used long after you have completed the class.

What You Will Learn:

• Defining the scope of the acquisition through use of a contract Work Breakdown Structure
• Identifying, analyzing and documenting risk
• Conducting market research and effectively collaborating with industry
• Planning and implementing a performance based services acquisition
• Developing a risk-focused Request for Proposal and evaluation criteria
• Understanding and participating in a best value source selection
• Properly executing the roles and responsibilities of the COR/COTR in post-award contract performance

Who Should Attend:

• Current and future COTRs, CORs and Technical Monitors
• Commercial Vendor Relationship Managers (VRMs)
• Government and commercial project leaders and managers
• Contracting officers and administrators
• Acquisition officers
• Quality assurance personnel
• General Counsel
• Federal advisory and assistance contractors

A new government report recommends contract training to achieve better federal contracting results.   Click here to download the Managing the Government’s Technical Experts to Achieve Positive Contract Outcomes report by the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board dated December 2005.

Previous Attendees Include:

AFCCC, Chief of Computer System Division
AFCCC, Chief of Computers Operations Branch
Air Force Research Laboratory, Fire Research Program Manager
BOR, GIS Coordinator
Corpus Christi Army Depot, Business Development Specialist
Defense Security COOP Agency, Congressional Liasion Specialist
Department of Commerce, Management Analyst
Department of Defense, Program Analyst
Department of Health and Human Services, Program Analyst
Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, Map MOD COTR
Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, Program Specialist
Department of Interior, Senior Telecommunications Specialist
Department of Labor, Accounts Payable Manager
Department of Labor, Chief, Division of Employment & Training Programs
Department of Labor, Deputy Director
Department of Labor, Director, Management Support Services
Department of Labor, IT Specialist
Department of Labor, Program Analyst
Department of Labor/OSEC/Office of the 21st Century Workforce, Special Assistant
Department of the Treasury, Information Systems Security Officer
Department of Veterans Affairs, Director, Performance Analysis Service
Department of Veterans Affairs, Management Analyst
DHS/FEMA, Map MOD COTR
DHS/FEMA, Program Analyst
DHS/FEMA, Program Specialist
DHS/FEMA, Secretary
DOL, Director, Management Support Services
DOL, Program Analyst
Federal Aviation Administration, Computer Specialist
Federal Aviation Administration, Mathematician
Inter-American Foundation, Auditor
MEDDAC, Managed Care Division, Contracting Support Branch, Contracting Officer Representative
MEDDAC, Managed Care Division, Contracting Support Branch, Office Automation Assistant
Military Sealift Command, Assistant Security Manager
Military Sealift Command, Marine Transportation Specialist
Missile Defense Agency, System Engineer
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Management & Program Analyst
NASA Kennedy Space Center, Program/Management Analyst
NASA, Assistant Technical Management
National Gallery of Art, Chief, Imaging & Visual Services
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Branch Chief
National Science Foundation, Program Manager
NCOTA, Director
NIAID, Budget & Policy Analyst
NIH/NIAID/OTIS/PRMB, Administrator for Strategic Planning & Resource Management
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Administrative Officer
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, Program Analyst
Office of Personel Management
PACAF Computer Systems Squadron, PACAF, ETS Contracts Manager
U.S. EPA, Program Analyst
US Army OACSIM, Program Analyst
US Army OACSIM, Program Integration Specialist
US Army, Procurement Analyst
US Department of Labor, HR Specialist
US Department of Labor, International Relations Analyst
US Department of Labor, International Relations Officer
US Department of Labor, Program Analyst
US Patent & Trademark Office, Public Affairs Specialist
USCG Headquarters, Chief Warrant Officer
USDA, Supervisory Information Tech Specialist
USDA-NRCS
WHS/DFD/Federal Facilities Division, Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor
WHS/DFD/Federal Facilities Division, Maintenance Work Inspector
WHS/DFD/Federal Facilities Division, Management Analyst

What previous attendees said about this workshop:

"The instructor was very knowledgable. He used great "real life" situations in getting the points across." - Financial Analyst, US Air Force

"The instructor was very effective and held our attention." - Contract Specialist, Dept. of Commerce/NOAA

"Very knowledgable and was able to answer 99.9% of questions right away." - Financial Analyst, Booz Allen Hamilton

“Excellent examples drawn from personal experience; trivia warm-ups a great idea; courteous and professional.” - GIS Manager, USBR

“Great expertise and experience!!” - Program Specialist, FEMA

Course Outline:

1. Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities

a. Members and roles of the acquisition team
b. Types, limits and delegation of contractual authority
c. General authorities of the COR/COTR
d. Standards of conduct and procurement integrity
e. Organizational conflicts of interest

2. Determining Acquisition Scope and Assessing Risk

a. Statements of need
b. Use and purpose of work breakdown structures
c. Identifying, assessing and mitigating risk
d. Integrating risk and acquisition management

3. Conducting Market Research and Planning the Acquisition

a. Requirement for and benefits of market research
b. Steps in the market research process
c. Exchanging information with industry
e. Competition requirements
f. Acquisition planning requirements
g. Commercial item acquisition

4. Performance Based Acquisition

a. Definition and purpose of performance based acquisition
b. Performance work statements and statements of objective
c. Critical performance standards and acceptable quality levels (AQLs)
d. Quality assurance surveillance plans
e. Performance incentive approaches

5. Developing the Request for Proposal and Planning the Source Selection

a. Elements of the Uniform Contract Format (UCF)
b. Developing evaluation factors for award and proposal submission instructions
c. Key terms and conditions
d. Streamlining the source selection process
e. Effective use of the advisory multi-step process

6. Conducting the Best Value Source Selection

a. Overview of the best value source selection process
b. Performing the technical evaluation of offeror proposals
c. Cost and past performance evaluations
d. Competitive range determination and discussions with offerors
e. Comparative assessment, tradeoff analysis and contract award

7. Post-Award COR/COTR Contract Management Principles

a. Essential elements of a binding contract
b. Principle of contract privity
c. Interpreting the contract
d. COR/COTR documentation and record keeping requirements
e. Types of contract changes
f. Equitable adjustments
g. Government furnished property
h. Inspection and acceptance
i. Terminations
j. Excusable delays
k. Invoices and payments
l. Contract closeout

About Your Instructor:

Mr. Robert Watts has over 26 years of federal acquisition experience in the disciplines of contracting, project management and financial management. He is the President of LodeStar Acquisition Services, a small business, acquisition training and consulting firm headquartered in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Previous to founding LodeStar Acquisition Services, Mr. Watts was Vice President of Acquisition Services at ManTech Integrated Data Systems from 1998 – 2004. The organizations he has led have helped over 500 government teams efficiently select and manage mission critical contractor products and services.

Mr. Watts is a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and a former member of the Defense Acquisition Corp. Prior to his retirement from the USAF, he was the Director of the National Reconnaissance Office’s (NRO’s) Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE), a unique organization of over 60 personnel dedicated to providing the NRO workforce a dedicated acquisition support capability and infrastructure. As ACE Director, Mr. Watts was the architect of the NRO’s process for competitive procurement of over $15B in space-related hardware and software.

Mr. Watts is also a senior instructor, researcher, writer and consultant for The George Washington University’s (GWU’s) Educational Services Institute International. He received his MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

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